Couldn't take another gray, wet week in the Pacific Northwest, so Sunday afternoon I packed up my gear and headed out the Columbia River Gorge, headed east. Was hoping to avoid the wet Memorial Day weather and log some miles to a warmer locale.
Day 1 - Well, I made it all of 40 miles before I went back to put on the larger Parabellum windscreen. Ahhh... Much better and quieter. I made it to Pendleton, OR that night, about 220 miles, not including my extra 80 mile loop.
Day 2 - headed from Pendleton down to Twin Falls, ID, on I-84, being chased by rain most of the way. Had a nice lunch in Boise mid way. And um, this thing cruises nicely at 85-90... Wow.. effortless... Rain was moving into Twin Falls and I wanted Mediterranean food so I hotelled it again.
Day 3 - rode directly south from Twin Falls on US 93 through Nevada. Nice two lane, the way I like it. Cold and wet at 6000 ft but kept moving and running fast in the rain. South of I-80 the road was so empty I was cruising at 90-100 at times and can say the Super Ten is solid as a rock... Hit an indicated 125 a couple times but it wouldn't pull more at that altitude without a downshift. Finally I found sunshine and 72 deg 100 miles south of Ely, Nevada. Gorgeous campground at Cathedral Gorge, near Panaca, NV. Warm and dry, campground looking out on the rock formations and lots of blue sky!
Day 4 - Today I rode into St. George, UT... it's too hot! 85 deg and climbing... what was I thinking? Ha ha, what a whiner. Looked at the map and decided to head for Flagstaff 270 mi away (at 7000') where it is cooler. Great ride through the Kaibab Plateau. Very windy after that through the Navaho reservation - at least 100 miles of 40 kt crosswinds and dust. It beat me up a bit, and I think the larger windscreen makes it worse. So I got another hotel room so I can sleep well tonight and hope to camp tomorrow again.
Well, 1500 miles so far and effortless. This is a great bike... just put gas in the tank and ride. Solid, comfortable, and stable at speed. Lots of compliments and attention, especially in camp. Even got off on some dirt roads for fun but gotta watch the sandy spots as I'm still on the original tires and it washes out pretty easily. Need the little compressor so I can air down. Not sure where I'm headed next - probably up through central Utah, Park City, then home to Portland. Need to be back early next week. I really like riding without a planned itinerary. Should be about 3200 miles in 7-8 days.
Sorry, pics still in the camera... forgot to bring the cable...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Day 1 - Well, I made it all of 40 miles before I went back to put on the larger Parabellum windscreen. Ahhh... Much better and quieter. I made it to Pendleton, OR that night, about 220 miles, not including my extra 80 mile loop.
Day 2 - headed from Pendleton down to Twin Falls, ID, on I-84, being chased by rain most of the way. Had a nice lunch in Boise mid way. And um, this thing cruises nicely at 85-90... Wow.. effortless... Rain was moving into Twin Falls and I wanted Mediterranean food so I hotelled it again.
Day 3 - rode directly south from Twin Falls on US 93 through Nevada. Nice two lane, the way I like it. Cold and wet at 6000 ft but kept moving and running fast in the rain. South of I-80 the road was so empty I was cruising at 90-100 at times and can say the Super Ten is solid as a rock... Hit an indicated 125 a couple times but it wouldn't pull more at that altitude without a downshift. Finally I found sunshine and 72 deg 100 miles south of Ely, Nevada. Gorgeous campground at Cathedral Gorge, near Panaca, NV. Warm and dry, campground looking out on the rock formations and lots of blue sky!
Day 4 - Today I rode into St. George, UT... it's too hot! 85 deg and climbing... what was I thinking? Ha ha, what a whiner. Looked at the map and decided to head for Flagstaff 270 mi away (at 7000') where it is cooler. Great ride through the Kaibab Plateau. Very windy after that through the Navaho reservation - at least 100 miles of 40 kt crosswinds and dust. It beat me up a bit, and I think the larger windscreen makes it worse. So I got another hotel room so I can sleep well tonight and hope to camp tomorrow again.
Well, 1500 miles so far and effortless. This is a great bike... just put gas in the tank and ride. Solid, comfortable, and stable at speed. Lots of compliments and attention, especially in camp. Even got off on some dirt roads for fun but gotta watch the sandy spots as I'm still on the original tires and it washes out pretty easily. Need the little compressor so I can air down. Not sure where I'm headed next - probably up through central Utah, Park City, then home to Portland. Need to be back early next week. I really like riding without a planned itinerary. Should be about 3200 miles in 7-8 days.
Sorry, pics still in the camera... forgot to bring the cable...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2